Day 1 - Across Lake Erie

We started out early to get on the road for our 4 hour drive to Port Clinton.  We needed to stop for groceries and wanted to get on board and somewhat settled before noon when Kyle planned to arrive.  Kyle was the captain for the previous owner and agreed to take this first leg with us as we get used to the controls of the new boat.  

It took a little longer to unload the car and get aboard but we were ready to go around 12:30pm.  We untied the lines and fenders and Scott took us out to Lake Erie.

After we cleared the marina and got out in the lake, Scott brought her up to cruising speed and we were off.  It took about 45 minutes to cross the lake and enter the Detroit River.  

The lake was so calm.  It was a beautiful trip across with the Ohio shore barely out of sight before Canada came into view.  The Detroit River is nothing like I expected but so cool.  There are man-made berms on either side making a fairly narrow channel most of the way up to Lake St Claire.  This allows boats to travel at full speed without damaging the beautiful homes along the shores.  Its like a highway through the river.

 

While passing through Detroit, the kids and I sat on the bow.  This is new for us as our previous boats didn't offer safe seating up front while at cruising speeds.  It was lots of fun as we saw the buildings and crossed under many bridges including the new international bridge that's currently being built.  

At one point, a couple jet-skiers followed along to jump in our wake.  It was very entertaining to watch them do tricks.

It was 4:30 pm when we finally pulled into the marina in St Claire Shores.  As soon as we were tied off and connected power, Captain Kyle headed out to find his wife to begin the drive home.

The boys got started setting up our Starlink internet and Jen immediately made a plan for food.  We had missed lunch and it was nearing suppertime.  I ordered pizza from Buddy's but because we were on a dock wasn't sure where to have it delivered.  So I decided to grab a scooter and find a better place to meet the driver.  

First I had to figure out how to use the new scooter.  Then had to figure out how to get out of the marina... it's a big one.  Then needed to drop off some outgoing mail.  After finding a post box, I circled back and found a bench that I could wait for the pizza delivery.  As I chatted with some lovely ladies taking a smoke break from a nearby restaurant, I realized I would struggle to carry our large order home.  If I held the pizza box, I'd have to choose between having gas or the break.  Neither seemed wise, so I set the boxes on the 'floor' of the scooter, balanced on just one foot while using the other to keep the food from falling.  And off I went.  Scott spotted me coming down the dock and snapped a pic. 

After dinner, Scott and Jen worked on projects around the boat.  Jen got all of the food and dishes organized and changed the linens on all the beds while Scott unpacked some of things and addressed a sensor alarm that had gone off while underway.

Both kids love having a space to themselves.  Sammy calls her room "spacious" and has already found a place for all of her things.

It's almost 9:00 pm now and we are all pretty tired.  I think we are all ready to climb in bed and rest a bit.  But first, a few moments with a cup of coffee on the bow to enjoy the beautiful sunset.